Ohio’s Fifth District Court of Appeals to Launch Appellate Mediation Program

Nicole Wilmet, February 27th, 2020

Ohio’s Fifth District Court of
Appeals will be launching an appellate mediation program. The Fifth District
Court is the largest appellate court in Ohio and serves the Ashland, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield,
Guernsey, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Richland,
Stark and Tuscarawas counties. Recent news about the appellate mediation program reports that the program will be voluntary and limited to
civil cases. The program is expected to launch by spring 2020.

According to the Court’s announcement
about the program, the Court is currently in the process of drafting a local
mediation rule. Once drafted, the proposed rule will be published on the Court’s website
with a request for comment from the public and legal community. Recent news
reports that once published, the rule will be available for comment for 30
days. The Court has selected Aletha Carver to serve as the Court’s mediator.
Those interested in additional information about the program should please
contact Ms. Carver at amcarver@starkcountyohio.gov.